" FAILING RELIGION " LUXARY JEAN COMPANY TRU RELIGION STRUGGLES AS A COMPANY AND IS LOOKING FOR FINACIAL HELP

True Religion, the jeans company that’s lately been getting so much status-symbol love in songs by Chief Keef, French Montana and Waka Flocka—not to mention an entire mixtape dedication from 2 Chainz—is having financial problems, according to The New York Times:  True Religion Apparel, the struggling maker of upscale denim, is apparently hoping a sale can repair its fraying financials.

True Religion’s shares have plummeted 39 percent this year, to $21.01, valuing the company at $541.8 million. On Wednesday, its stock leaped 25 percent, to $26.40, in premarket trading. True Religion was one of the original high-priced, designer jeans in the mid-2000s, and their hope is that a buyout will allow them to continue to make their signature frayed jeans. No comment on the news from 2 Chainz yet, though if he’s looking for suggestions for new brands to rep, we have more than a few.

source:fader/nytimes/truereligion/urbanmessmag

" I RIDE WITH MY PEOPLES " JAY-Z TAKES THE SUBWAY IN NYC TO HIS LAST CONCERT PERFORMANCE @ THE BARCLAYS CENTER LAST SATURDAY EVENING

When you're waiting on the train platform in New York City to get where you need to go you don't expect to see one of the biggest superstars in the world just stroll in through the turnstyles but last night Jay-Z shocked many MTA commuters. Jigga man decided to skip car service or a ride in his luxurious Maybach and hopped on the train like an average New Yorker to get to his last show at the Barclay's Center last Saturday night.

The rapper caused a frenzy when he entered the train station at Canal St around 6 P.M. and rode it all the way to Atlantic Avenue. Escorted by plainclothes police officers and his own security, Hova didn't seem to pay for the ride and attracted a loud band of followers that made him look like the Pied Piper, a source who followed Jay-Z told the Daily News.

On the platform, the rapper waited for one train to pass before getting onto the Brooklyn-bound R. On the way he even sat next to and older woman who was all smiles to have the Brooklyn native by her side. Jigga Man shows us he is definitely one with people. Moments later he hit the stadium stage where he surprised the crowd with a special performance from his wifey, Beyonce.

In other Jay-Z news, he also announced he will be dropping a souvenir for fans to remember the historic moment at Barclays, an 8-track optic EP of live recordings from the concerts. It will include eight live performances and will be available exclusively on iTunes on Tuesday, October 9th!Sounds like this guy is on his A game and we wouldn't be surprised if he took the Barclay's after party to a local bar!

HE IS A NATIVE NEW YORKER SO WHY NOT?!

source:globalgrind/nydn/urbanmessmag

" 2 MUCH LOVE & HIP HOP?! " STEVIE J. DENIES RUMORS OF KISSING LIL WAYNE

A video went viral on YouTube Monday of Lil Wayne allegedly kissing “Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta” star Stevie J. But Stevie J has come forward to lay the allegations to rest. "I'm in Los Angeles getting that bread working on this Rihanna project, this Mariah project," Stevie J told "The Morning Riot Show," as he is also a music producer. "I been doing this [sic], screwing chicks, telling lies and selling pies... "

Meanwhile, the controversial video was taken in Miami at Club Liv.  It shows Lil’ Wayne onstage performing after stopping briefly to allegedly kiss a man on the lips. According to Vibe magazine, the person seen on stage with Lil’ Wayne is actually a deejay who also goes by the name Stevie J, and is a part of Lil’ Wayne’s label YMCMB. "I leave kissing guys to them other guys," Stevie J added.

The kiss should come as no surprise to Lil’ Wayne fans. The rapper infamously kissed Cash Money Records head honcho Birdman on the lips in 2006. Birdman defended the act, saying "That's my son, ya heard me," to radio DJ Tim Westwood. Lil’ Wayne is not actually Birdman’s son, however. "If he was right here, I'd kiss him again. I kiss my daughter, my other son, I mean, you have children? Well, if you did you'd understand what I meant with it. I just think people took that too far man. That's my son. I'll do it again tomorrow, I'll kill for him. Ride and die for him," Birdman added.

source/ibtimes/urbanmessmag

" WE ARE THE TALK OF NEW YORK, AGAIN! " DERON WILLIAMS IS GRACES THE COVER OF OCTOBER SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

" BRINGING THE NOISE "

The cover of this week's Sports Illustrated, featuring Deron Williams in front of a Brooklyn mural, was revealed Tuesday night. The cover headline reads "Brooklyn Rising, the NBA feels the beat of the street. The mural features Dr. J, Jay-Z, Jackie Robinson and street ball legend Fly Williams. The feature article is written by Rick Telander, author of the 1976 book "Heaven is a Playground," which chronicled Williams and a summer of Brooklyn street ball. Telander returns to "the borough that spawned generations of schoolboy legends (not to mention legendary characters) and finally has an NBA team of its own." It's about Brooklyn hoops as much as it is the team. "Brooklyn has more hoops heritage in its parks than Harlem, the Bronx, West 4th St., Philly, Chicago, L.A., anywhere," Telander writes. Meanwhile, the latest promo for "The Association" is out and it features everyone from Rosie Perez (who once criticized the arena at a rally) to Spike Lee (who appears to limit himself to "Brooklyn in the house").

source:netsdaily/nba/si.com/urbanmess

"HERE IS A FEW REASONS WHY DRAKE'S AALIYAH ALBUM MIGHT WORK"

While Drake has given us lyrical evidence that he has possession issues, he claims the late R&B songbird Aaliyah like a forlorn lover. Omit the somewhat creepy back ink of baby girl’s face and the seemingly half-baked posthumous collaboration “Enough Said” and there may be reasons why these two will make the perfect match in musical heaven on her post-mortem album

Aaliyah’s 2002 compilation I Care 4 U featured the smooth ballad of the same name, where the singer offers affection to the man she loves. Fast forward to 2011, Toronto spitter Drake dropped his sophomore effort Take Care along with the Rihanna-assisted track that reads like a response to Aaliyah. Their fragile emotions mixed with mirror-image lyricism makes for radio-friendly romance.

Aaliyah’s 2002 compilation I Care 4 U featured the smooth ballad of the same name, where the singer offers affection to the man she loves. Fast forward to 2011, Toronto spitter Drake dropped his sophomore effort Take Care along with the Rihanna-assisted track that reads like a response to Aaliyah. Their fragile emotions mixed with mirror-image lyricism makes for radio-friendly romance.

Aaliyah would be the first to say that age ain’t nothin’ but a double digit, but numerical significance isn’t lost on Drake, who etched “416″ along the side of his torso. The number doubles as “116,” an homage to his hometown and A’s birthday, January 16. Combine the two on wax and it may mean some hefty numbers on the sales side too.

SOURCE:VIBE/URBANMESSMAG

"BEAST OF THE EAST" NY YANKEES WIN AMERICAN LEAGUE EASTERN DIVISION ROMPING THE BOSTON REDSOX 14-2 AND ARE NOW READY FOR THE 2012 PLAYOFFS TO BEGIN!!!

  

"SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST"

Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson each hit a pair of homers, powering the New York Yankees past the Boston Red Sox 14-2 on a raucous Wednesday night in the Bronx for their 13th AL East title in 17 years. In front of fans poised to party from the first pitch, the Yankees completed a three-game sweep of the last-place Red Sox to win their second consecutive division crown. The championship was locked up by the seventh inning, when Baltimore's 4-1 loss at Tampa bay went final. Cano tied a career high with six RBIs as New York secured home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs. The Yankees will open on the road Sunday against the winner of Friday's wild-card game between Baltimore and Texas.

source:uffingtonpost/mlb/nyyankees/urbanmessmag

"LATIN PRIDE" MIGUEL CABREA WINS THE MLB TRIPLE CROWN, THE FIRST AS A LATINO!!!

Congrats to the Detriot Tigers Miguel Cabrea to win a very prestigious award in Major Leagues Baseball. Venezuelan Miguel Cabrera is the first Latino, and first ballplayer in 45 years, to win one of the most elusive and difficult achievements in baseball, the Triple Crown. Miguel Cabrera won baseball's first Triple Crown in 45 years Wednesday night, becoming only the third living player to achieve the feat. Cabrera led the American League with a .330 batting average, 44 home runs and 139 RBIs, making him the 15th Triple Crown winner and the first since Boston's Carl Yastrzemski in 1967.

Source:huffingtonpost/mlb/urbanmessmag

"CHRISTINA, WOW!" CHRISTINA AGUILERA SHOWS OFF HER STYLISH CURVES ON "THE VOICE" SET

"IS IT ME OR IS CHRISTINA AGUILERA THICK WOMAN OR WHAT?! WOWZERS!!!

The Voice” judge, Christina Aguilera, came together with her costars for a press junket and cocktail reception in Los Angeles yesterday. The singer wore a form fitting black and white knit sweater Sammy dress by Torn by Ronny Kobo ($214) covered up with a black leather jacket and paired with black leggings. Christina’s finishing touch was the classic pair of black Daffodil leather platform pumps by Christian Louboutin ($1,075). What do you think of her signature curve-hugging style?

SOURCE:UPSCALEHYPE/URBANMESSMAGAZINE

'BACK TO SCHOOL" 2012-2013 MEDIA DAY FOR THE NEW NBA SEASON

 

"BACK ON THE BLOCK"

The 2012-2013 NBA season is around the corner and we are excited finally see what will be for this upcoming season. Many teams are gearing up to prepare themselves for a season long battle against the NBA elite. The new "New Kids on The Block of Brooklyn" will have plenty to say this season. Deron Williams and newly aquired Joe Johnson are an exciting duo to watch this season making them the best backcourt in league. The Brooklyn Nets start their season in a new arena with a new franchise and the re is a buzz in nyc, especially in Brooklyn is all about The Nets! Not only are they looking to be the best in NY but the best in the national basketball association. But the Knicks may disagree a little, because they feel they have something to prove. Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire feel they can win together and finally bring a title to the Knicks since 1973. The Knicks have added a few older veterans, though they are receiving heavy critisim over signing of these older players and they feel they are the team to be not only in  New York, but in the NBA period!

Out West the Lakers are looking to bet back to their glory and have stocked their team with 2 new major players in Dwight Howard and Steve Nash. Kobe Bryant will be looking to win his 6th championship to tie Michael Jordan and continue is reign as the best player in the West. The San Antonio Spurs are looking to give it one more push to win again this year. Tony Parker, Tim Dunkin  and crew are realizing that their time is now to win one more title as they're run together is coming to and end in San Antonio. Could they surprise everyone this year and win it all? We'll see!? The OKC Thunder and their star players, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Serge Ibaka and crew are feeling they are the team to be in the West and are on a mission this year to get back into the Finals again and win it all!. The Miami Heat are looking for back to back titles this year with the new aquisition of  free agaent Ray Allen departing from their rival the Boston Celtics to join their already stocked team. Lebron James and Dwyane Wade are at their prime of their careers, and are looking to try to repeat this year and every year according to Lebron's prediction to win it every year. I don't know who will win all this season, but I expect it to be an exciting year in the NBA, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! 

Tip off starts Nov 1st. as the Knicks face the Nets at the band new Barclays Center in Brooklyn!

Can't Wait!!!!

source:NBA/urbanmessmagazine

"BROOKLYN'S FINEST" JAY-Z KICKS OFF BARCLAYS CENTER PERFORMANCE 9/28/12

"HELLO BROOKLYN"

Jay-Z says performing in his New York City hometown at the opening of Brooklyn's Barclays Center is better than performing at the Grammys, Glastonbury or Coachella. He yelled to the crowd of 18,000: "Nothing feels like tonight!" The arena was full of exciting concertgoers, as the chaotic crowd made way to their seats after waiting outside to enter the building. Jay-Z emerged onstage Friday night as a video about Brooklyn's history played in the background.He opened with his songs about Brooklyn with "Where I'm From" and "Brooklyn Go Hard." He also performed two songs from fellow Brooklynite Notorious B.I.G. He also held a moment of silence for the late rap veteran. He told the crowd when B.I.G.'s "Juicy" played: "Sing loud so he can hear you in heaven."

Call it his official homecoming: Jay-Z will perform the first of eight shows at the newly built Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Friday night. The rapper is the co-owner of the Brooklyn Nets, who will play the new arena this year. Brooklyn-born Jay-Z will christen the venue, which holds 18,000 seats. Jay-Z's performance Friday is expected to feature other top musicians. His past shows included wife Beyonce, Kanye West, Alicia Keys and dozens of others. The Barclays Center will rival Manhattan's Madison Square Garden for musical events. A number of acts have booked shows at the venue, including Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Bob Dylan, Rihanna, Rush, The Who, Justin Bieber and Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Jay-Z will perform at Barclays through Oct. 6 with the exception

source:huffingtonpost/jay-z/urbanmessmag

"OPENING CEREMONY" JAY-Z WILL DEBUT HISTORIC CONCERT TONIGHT SEPT 28, 2012 @ THE BRAND NEW BARCLAYS CENTER ARENA IN BROOKLYN, NY!

After years of planning, controversy and construction, the new Barclays Center makes its debut tonight. Thousands of fans will stream into the arena as Brooklyn native and Nets' part owner Jay-Z opens the arena with a sold-out concert.Tickets for the show are a hot commodity with floor seats commanding more than $600 on the secondary market. Jay-Z celebrated ahead of the concert with the grand opening of his 40/40 club inside Barclays. The rapper says he's excited about what the arena means for Brooklyn. "You know I've just seen everyone busy and trying to clean up and I just got this great feeling. The guy stopped me in the hallway and he was like, 'Man this is a great thing for New York City.' And that's what the whole thing was about," Jay-Z said. "It's been a transition. You know I've been here, I think seven or eight times and I haven't been here since it's been completely finished. So, it's my first time seeing the finished deal but you know I'm definitely excited," said Brooklyn Nets Guard Deron Williams. Tonight's concert is the first of eight shows Jay-Z will perform at Barclays. Concert-goers are being urged to take mass transit to the show, using either the subway or the Long Island Rail Road. The Nets will play their first game at the arena on October 15.

If concert goers expecting surprise performances, take another guess! In an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine's Jeff Rosenthal, (reigning member of our Digital Power 30) Jay-Z vetoed any rumors of special guests for his 8 date concert series at the Barclays Center.

No one's appearing, no one's performing. It's Brooklyn! This is my one chance to be selfish. Can't I? Can't I be selfish? Thank you. Just for these eight shows – then I'll get back to my "Jay-Z and Friends" shows. I get all of these guys to come out for me, so . . .

Tonight is the grand opening for the new arena for the Brooklyn Nets. If you have you're tickets don't expect surprises, expect a damn good show though

source: jay-z/thesource/ny1/urbanmessmag